Take charge of Your Joints Tips for Living with Arthritis

What is Arthritis? Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder of the joints that may produce pain swelling and deformity. Articular Cartilage Damage Joint Synovium Meniscus-The primary shock absorber of the knee Synovium-The area nerves and nerve endings are bundled. (It sends pain messages to the body and fights to produce synovial fluid to lubricate the inflamed area. Worn Meniscus Inflammation

What Is Arthritis? Inflammation is a natural reaction to injury. It causes swelling, pain, and redness and decreases motion in the affected area. Articular Cartilage Damage Joint Arthritis triggers more inflammation over time which leads to tissue damage. Tissue Damage eventually causes bone and joint destruction which promotes more pain, and disability. Synovium Worn Meniscus Inflammation

Forms of Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis causes inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the joint tissue, leading to deformity. It often affects the same joints on both sides of the body (hands, wrists, feet, knees, ankles, shoulders, and elbows). Rheumatoid Arthritis is more common in women than in men.

Forms of Arthritis Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis) is a breakdown of the cushioning tissue, called cartilage, in joints. The breakdown of cartilage in the joints causes pain and swelling. It is the most common form of arthritis. The disease affects the fingers, knees, feet, hips and back. Men and women over the age of 45 suffer most from this ailment. Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis are similar, but not the same disease. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the density of bones which leads to fractures. It affects the entire skeleton where as osteoarthritis targets joints in the fingers, knees, feet, hips, and lower back.

Forms of Arthritis Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects muscles and their attachments to bone. It is characterized by widespread pain and tender points on the body. Side effects of Fibromyalgia are fatigue, disturbed sleep, stiffness and psychological distress. Women are the most susceptible to Fibromyalgia.

Forms of Arthritis Gout is a rheumatic disease causing sudden, severe episodes of pain and tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in the joints. It is a result of when the body produces too much uric acid and is unable to dispose of the substance. Access uric acid forms needle-like crystals in the joints of toes, ankles and knees that cause sever pain and swelling.

Forms of Arthritis Lupus is a rheumatic disease that can affect skin, joints and internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and heart. Lupus affects women most often between the ages of 18 and 45. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis produces serious complications in severe cases or causes a few problems in very mild cases. JRA appears between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. The first signs often are joint pain or swelling and reddened or warm joints.

Warning Signs of Arthritis Swelling in one or more joints. Morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or longer Persistent joint pain or tenderness. Inability to move a joint in the normal way. Redness or warmth in a joint. Weight loss, fever, or weakness and joint pain that cannot be explained.

Who Develops Arthritis? Over 46 million adult Americans have arthritis. 1.5 million adult Tennesseans have arthritis. 45% of Tennesseans diagnosed with arthritis are under 55 years of age. Arthritis affects people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. By 2030, it is projected that 67 million Americans will have arthritis. Arthritis affects one in every 250 children.

What Type do you Have? Your physician can perform the following examinations to determine your type of arthritis: The doctor will examine your medical history. Gather current and past symptoms. Conduct a physical examination, x-rays and blood work.

Treatment Options Talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Medications can reduce pain in the joints Physical therapy to help you perform daily activities Heat and cold therapies and ease pain and stiffness by relaxing muscles Exercise Weight reduction Surgery to repair damaged joints Physical therapy can teach new ways of performing daily activities such as dressing, walking, climbing stairs, and bathing. Extra weight puts more pressure on the joints and can aggravate some forms of arthritis.

Methods of Pain Control Get adequate sleep each night Balance physical activity with rest Take medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) as recommended by your doctor. Exercise to keep joint moving, reduce pain and stiffness, improve mood and attitude, and increase your energy level. Break activities down into smaller tasks that you can manage.

Methods of Pain Control Keep a daily diary of pain and mood changes. Use assistive devices when needed (ergonomic tools). Use the palm of your hands instead of your fingers. Use extra thick pens and large handled cooking utensils.

Combat Arthritis With Exercise Exercise has been proven to : Minimize loss of function Increase mobility Reduce pain Promote weight loss Increase muscle mass

Combat Arthritis With Exercise Exercise has been proven to : Increase balance Reduce stiffness Increase flexibility Increase body strength Build self-confidence Reduce depression

Learn about Arthritis Care and Treatment Arthritis Management Programs Arthritis Self-Help Program Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program

Arthritis Self-Help Program The Self-Help program teaches diagnosed individuals about arthritis and pain management techniques. The program is led by UT Extension Educators certified by the Arthritis Foundation. The program consists of six sessions. Each session is 2 hours in length. The Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program is a group education program designed to complement the care provided by your health-care team and allow you to share experiences with others

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is a 60- minute class held twice a week. It is designed to improve endurance and joint motion. The low-impact program offers 2 types of classes – Basic and Advanced. The program is led by UT Extension Educators certified by the Arthritis Foundation.

Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program Tai Chi is led by Extension Educators certified by the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Instructor program. The Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program is a 60- minute class held twice a week. Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise that utilizes the entire body and is suitable for almost anyone. Tai Chi originated from ancient China and has been described as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined.

Keep A Positive Attitude Arthritis can make you feel angry, sad, depressed and resentful. Negative feelings can increase your pain. Share your feelings with your doctor, family and support group. Learn all you can about arthritis and practice daily self-care techniques.

Keep A Positive Attitude Tips for staying positive: Find pleasure in the simple things Distract your pain Take care of yourself Make a conscious effort to be positive Communicate your feelings with others Keep a pain journal Take a walk, read a book, spend time with your family, and take a nap. Stay busy, help others, volunteer in your community or church and spend time with someone who makes you laugh. Take time for yourself. Take your medicine and take time for exercise. Your family appreciates you and will understand the time you need for yourself. Spend time with positive people. Attempt to spin negatives into positives if you can. Expressing your feelings and frustrations with others will make you feel better. This will inform others about arthritis and the best way they can support you. Keeping a pain journal will help you monitor your pain, but also give you a sense of hope and accomplishment. Jot down your pain at breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a scale of zero to ten. You may begin to see a pattern of when you experience pain and when you do not . This will help you better plan your daily activities and better cope with bad days.

Keep A Positive Attitude You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and latch on to the affirmative! -Johnny Mercer Human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes. -William James

Closing For more information about arthritis or the arthritis education program available in your area contact: The Arthritis Foundation www.Arthritis.org The University of Tennessee Extension http://fcs.tennessee.edu/healthsafety/phealth.htm Jessica E. Taylor, MPH Community Health Specialist Arthritis Education Program Coordinator Family & Consumer Sciences 218-C Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996-4501 Telephone: (865) 974-7393 Email: jtaylo22@utk.edu